Dr Daya Gupta
Rtd Physician, Philanthropist
California, USA
Janam Bhumi:
Jalandhar, Punjab, India
Dharma Bhumi:
Kaithal, Haryana, India
Karma Bhumi:
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada/Palm Desert, California, USA
Living Up to His Name in Compassion
The ‘Daya’ Factor: “Service before self, always—without condition or calculation.”
THE MAN
Early in his medical practice, Dr Daya Gupta made a decision that few would make were they in his position. He resolved that no patient would ever be turned away for lack of insurance. “When someone is unwell and sitting in front of you, the question is not about coverage,” he says. “The question is—can I help?”
In the answer to that question lies Dr Gupta’s moral compass, which was set when he was still a child. Born in Jaladhar, Punjab, in 1940 to Prasani Devi and Radha Krishnan, he grew up in a home where values were lived. His parents believed education was sacred and service was non-negotiable. “I saw my parents help others without calculation, without expectation of return,” he shares. “They taught us that whatever you receive in life is never yours alone. It comes with a duty to give back.”
These lessons he carried with him as he crossed oceans kept him grounded. And even today, as he lives with Parkinson’s disease, Dr Gupta won’t stop caring for others. “Illness teaches you empathy in a very personal way,” he reflects. “You begin to understand vulnerability as a lived experience.”
THE JOURNEY
Dr Gupta’s family moved to Delhi in 1947, where he attended Ramjas School along with four of his siblings. “It was the same school where my father became the vice-principal, and later the principal.”
From his early schooling through high school, Dr Gupta distinguished himself as a committed student. While his siblings chose economics and engineering, Dr Gupta opted for medicine to fulfil his father’s dream. “He wanted at least one of his children to become a doctor. So, I decided to become one.”
After his BSc, Dr Gupta pursued his MBBA from Amritsar, specialising in Ophthalmology during his postgraduation from the Maulana Azad Medical College, Delhi. Over the years, he not only earned multiple postgraduate degrees from the UK, Canada, and the USA, but also through advanced training and professional development. To stop learning has never been an option for Dr Gupta.
Starting with clinical practice, Dr Gupta built a reputation for ethical care and patient-first decision-making. As his experience grew, so did his responsibilities—across hospitals, community health settings, and professional forums—where he became known for both competence and compassion. In between all this, he even found time to be a guest conductor at the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. His contributions to healthcare and community service earned him awards and public acknowledgement, particularly within Indo-Canadian circles. Yet, for Dr Gupta, the journey remains inwardly measured. “Titles come and go,” he says. “What stays is whether what you did was right.”
THE SPIRIT WITHIN
At the heart of Dr Gupta’s professional, personal, and philanthropic endeavours is the strong belief in compassionate service and community upliftment.
He and his family contributed a significant gift to The University of Winnipeg, resulting in the establishment of the Gupta Faculty of Kinesiology and Applied Health. This contribution supports ongoing health research and wellness initiatives benefiting the wider community.
Beyond institutional support, Dr Gupta has championed eye health as chief eye surgeon at the Gupta Eye Centre, pioneering procedures and participating in annual eye camps in India that provide free surgeries and glasses to those in need.
His contributions extend to collaborations with organisations supporting the visually impaired, reflecting his belief that healthcare should transcend barriers of ability or means. “To give is to honour the life you’ve been given,” he says, capturing a philosophy that balances professional excellence with heartfelt giving.
In 2010, Dr Gupta and his wife, Dr Chander, made a landmark contribution, in recognition of which the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) building on Portage Avenue in Winnipeg was named the Drs Daya and Chander Gupta Centre, highlighting their support for programmes that expand services, low-vision aids, libraries, and scholarships for visually impaired individuals.
THE LEGACY
Dr Chander is Dr Gupta’s wife and life-line. She has been with him through thick and thin. He credits her as both a partner and a pillar. A trailblazer in her own right, she was the first gynaecologist in Manitoba to conduct uro-dynamics studies in female patients and a pioneer in introducing procedures that transformed the quality of life for countless women. “Whatever I achieved was possible because Chander walked beside me,” he says. “My success is as much hers as it is mine.”
Together, they raised their children with an emphasis on education, humility, and service. Their son, Dr Abhay, is a plastic surgeon and is married to Shivi, a dentist. They are blessed with three children – Shayla, Ronik, and Jayden. Their daughter, Dr Anjali, studied at the University of Manitoba and the University of Alberta, Edmonton, becoming an obstetrician-gynaecologist. She is married to Dr Manish Saha, a physician, and they are parents to Avani and Malini.
Though Dr Gupta has hung up his professional coat, retirement from serving others is not in his vocabulary—nor does Parkinson’s deter the spirit that has defined his life’s work. He and his wife continue to serve, proving that a true healer’s journey never truly ends.
MAPPING THE INDIA WITHIN
Bharat: Then and Now
“Leaving India at 29, I witnessed a nation with limited resources and slow progress. Now, from afar, I see a transformed Bharat—thriving, ambitious, and globally respected. The changes in infrastructure, economy, and confidence fill me with pride, knowing how far India has come since my early days.”
Bharatiya Values that Travelled
“Moving to Britain and then Canada, we upheld Bharatiya values—respect, family, honesty, and cultural connection. We ensured our children learnt Hindi and understood the importance of relationships and tradition, believing that culture is something to preserve and pass on, not discard when living abroad.”
Generations Abroad: A New Bharatiya Identity
“Although our children were born overseas, we nurtured their Bharatiya identity in Winnipeg’s Indian community. Through cultural education, dance, and festivals, they balanced Western lifestyles with Indian traditions, creating a modern yet grounded Bharatiya identity that remains connected to their roots.”
Pride, Progress, and the Spirit Of Bharat
“India’s journey from a lesser-known nation to a global leader fills me with pride. Each achievement—in economy, recognition, and governance—reflects the country’s remarkable progress. It’s inspiring to see Bharat’s growth, and natural to feel proud of its evolving stature and accomplishments.”
Dreams for the Youth and Future of Bharat
“My dream for India is simple but strong—that it continues to grow economically, culturally, and globally. And, my hope for India’s youth is to foster pride in their heritage and continue the nation’s economic, cultural, and global growth. They should pursue knowledge, celebrate achievements, remain connected to their roots, and contribute to Bharat’s future, which I believe is bright and full of promise.”
BACK TO THE FUTURE – IN FIVE MOMENTS
Food Cravings
THEN
I grew up eating simple vegetarian food, pani puri, and coffee with friends.
NOW
Indian food is everywhere now, with lots of options for both my wife, who enjoys easy vegetarian options, and me, being fond of non-vegetarian food.
Sport Spirit
THEN
I played tennis, table tennis, hockey, football, and cricket endlessly.
NOW
Golf has become my main sport; I still exercise daily. But Parkinson’s keeps me restricted.
Music Tastes
THEN
Old Bollywood songs defined my youth and everyday memories.
NOW
I still prefer Bollywood, but I once conducted a full symphony.
Holiday Life
THEN
Holidays meant visiting relatives and exploring Delhi with my father.
NOW
We have travelled the world more than once with our children, learning together across cultures.
Leisure Habits
THEN
Free time meant outdoor games and staying physically active.
NOW
I walk daily, go to the gym, and play bridge.
AKA
Founding President of the Manitoba Association of Asian Physicians | Medical Director of Ultravision Eye Laser Centre | University Benefactor, Gupta Faculty of Kinesiology and Applied Health| Medical Professional | Dr Daya Gupta
